Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Cora fell. I didn't see it, but I heard it and it was a hard fall. She was crying and freaked out and clearly in pain and bleeding a little bit. Once I got her a bit calmed down I could tell it was coming from her stump. I can't see any wound and it stopped bleeding quiclkly although it's still leaking some fluid. she's wandering around the house like normal and I'm all freaked out.
Anyone have experience with this? I'm not racing her off to the vet because she seems fine now. Arg
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
You're staying calm, that's good! Is she still OK?
I think I would have handled the situation the same way. Keep us posted on how she's doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She's doing ok. Her stump is scabbed over. She's a bit irritable tonight, so I suspect she's sore.
Do you have good results with dermagel?
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Oh, poor thing - both of you! I can imagine that a stump fall like that could cause injury. You know the drill: keep it clean and keep her away from it. Try to rest up. Breathe.
~Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Always something with this journey, huh?? I guess that means everyone is still on a journey so that's a good sign:-)
Sou D's lie everything's under control., at least from Cora's standpoint:-) You've stopped the bleeding....not gonna get infected and Cora could just be a little grumpy from wall g up on the wrong side of the bed!
Keep usosted and take it was on YOU:-)
Supporting you always through these "challenges". Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Cora is back to her normal self. She's not grumpy today and spent a good chunk of time playing outside.
She did manage to break the scab on her stump open. I'm surprised by how much it bled. I think there's a cut on the inside that's a bit deeper than a scrape. I put some first aid cream on it and she's taking a nap now.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
I'm glad you're doing better Cora! Take it easy little one. Hopefully that cream will help heal your owie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chris,
I am glad Cora is feeling better. Keep an eye on that scrape to make sure she doesn't bother it and get it infected. Give her ear rubbies for me.
Michelle & Sassy.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I am pissed off. It turns out you shouldn't leave a stump on a front leg. That's the quicker way to amputate so when Cora was a stray that's what they did. And the reason you don't leave a stump is there's not enough tissue to protect it if you fall in.ok, if you are squeamish, you may not want to read this I had just gotten done talking with wookie who told me some of this and was headed out to my own doctor appointment. I was supposed to go to work after. but I was worried about cora. I took floyd out to the car since I was going to work after. I went to wake cora up to go into the kennel. she didn't want to wake up. she stretched and, this is way gross, pus shot out of her stump. she started crying. I couldn't get her to move and there wasn't much I could do so I called the vet and set up an appointment for the afternoon. I left her lying in my room because she didn't want to move and actually seemed to be having troubles walking.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Chris I am SO sorry, like anyone really needs this to happen but especially poor you and Cora! Geez, you guys need a break so bad. This is ruff (especially on your stomach, ugh).
Well, yeah, because of situations like this (it's not uncommon) tell folks that if they have a choice, to take the whole front limb, scapula and all. We see a lot of this in overseas dogs amputations. Unfortunately quickie amputations can result in problems even months later. It didn't occur to me that there was that much leg left on Cora. Duh me. Our own Wyatt had complications two years later after his amp that was done at a very inexpensive rate because a rescue was paying for it. We feel your pain, I'm so sorry.
Paws crossed that she heals properly and without any more issues. Keep us posted and hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Cora is amazing and so are you!
I have been reading her blog here and liked her page on fb.
She reminds me of my rescued black dog who had his issues and whom I loved very much for 14 years.
I am sure that you are frustrated. You have every right to be sad and mad!
Just try to remember that even when you are beyond overwhelmed, every challenge, you and Cora face will leave a paw print on your heart that will linger always.
Still cheering for you both!
Bud's mom
Awww, poor li'l gal!!
I think Cora would benefit from a DogLeggs vest to protect her stump once she's healed. They're not cheap but it would be a lot less than additional surgery and/or multiple vet visits. They're custom made so they can add padding wherever it's needed. They take a couple weeks to get, so you'd need to order it soon for it to be ready when she is, but it really is a remarkable piece of equipment that would make both of your lives a LOT easier.
I got one for Kermit because he was developing a very nasty elbow on the good side, and he doesn't have a stump but it certainly looks as though the other side could be easily padded to cover one. I saw major improvement in Kerm's elbow in just 24 hours. As an additional benefit, it fits tightly so would probably serve a secondary purpose as a "thundershirt" of sorts, and maybe make her feel more confident.
The only downside is that it's quite hot, so for outdoors on summer days it would be too warm.
Here's their amputee page:
http://www.dogl...../amputees/
I can't recommend this enough.
Dharma, how do you find out how much these things are? I wonder if the company would cut Cora a break since she's already such a bundle of uniqueness.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Basic price for the amputee model is $162.50. Near the top of the web page in the purple stripe there's a link for "price & ordering info".
They do have wholesale pricing for vets, so maybe if Cora's vet was willing to place the order & pass some or all of the savings along, that would help. Other than that, I'd say it's worth a phone call to ask!
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